Linear Tape-Open (LTO) is an open-format tape storage technology developed in 1990s by HP, IBM and Seagate to provide a clear and viable choice in an increasingly complex array of tape storage options. The term open format means that LTO tapes are compatible with multiple sources of storage media products.
The first generation of LTO Tapes was released in 2000 with data storage capacity of 100 GB in a cartridge. The sixth generation of LTO Ultrium was released in 2012 with data storage capacity of 2.5TB in a cartridge of the same size. LTO Ultrium was created as a replacement for DLT and has a similar design of ?-inch wide tape in a single reel cartridge.